"Growing in Wisdom"
Dear St. Andrew's UM Church Family,
When our son was younger, this was the time I would tease him as we walked past the aisles of “Back to School Supplies” in Walmart or Target by singing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Well, it is that time of year again, isn’t it? Walmart, Target, Dollar General, etc. are stocked from floor to ceiling (almost) with school supplies, surrounded by parents and children carefully selecting folders, notebooks, and backpacks for the coming year. There seems to be a palpable energy in the air—a mixture of anticipation, possibility, and (for some of the parents) relief! Thinking of these families fill their carts with tools for learning, I can’t help but reflect on our lifelong need for growth and wisdom.
August always feels like a threshold month—a bridge between summer's freedom and fall's structure, a time when learning takes center stage again. Perhaps that's why it's the perfect moment for us to consider what it means to grow in wisdom as followers of Christ.
In our culture, we often conflate knowledge with wisdom. We have unprecedented access to information—with just a few keystrokes, we can learn about quantum physics, medieval history, or how to fix a leaky faucet. Yet despite this wealth of knowledge, we sometimes find ourselves lacking in the deeper wisdom that helps us navigate life's complexities with grace and discernment.
Proverbs 9:10 offers this foundational insight: "The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD; the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Notice that wisdom begins not with academic credentials or intellectual capacity, but with reverence for God. True wisdom is rooted in relationship—recognizing who God is and who we are in relation to him.
This doesn't diminish the value of education or intellectual pursuit. Rather, it reorients our learning within the context of humble acknowledgment that God is the source of all wisdom. When we approach life's questions—whether practical, ethical, or relational—with this posture of reverence, we've taken the first step on wisdom's path.
James 1:5 offers an encouraging promise for this journey: "But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought." What a refreshing invitation! Unlike exclusive academic institutions with rigorous admission standards, God freely offers wisdom to all who ask. There's no application fee, no entrance exam—just a humble request.
I've experienced this in my own life countless times. When facing decisions about ministry direction, family challenges, or personal growth, I've often reached the limits of my own understanding. It's in those moments—when I stop striving and start seeking—that divine wisdom often breaks through in unexpected ways: through Scripture suddenly illuminated, through the counsel of a trusted friend, or through that gentle inner prompting that Christians throughout history have recognized as the Spirit's guidance.
The apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that "Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good." Scripture remains our primary source for growing in wisdom—not as a rule book to be mechanically applied, but as a living narrative that shapes our understanding of God, ourselves, and our world.
So how might we intentionally pursue wisdom in this season? Here are some practical suggestions:
- **Establish a sustainable rhythm of Scripture reading.** Rather than ambitious plans that quickly falter, commit to a consistent practice, even if it's just a few verses daily. Quality engagement matters more than quantity.
- **Create space for reflection.** Wisdom emerges not just from input but from processing. Consider journaling, taking contemplative walks, or simply sitting in silence for a few minutes each day.
- **Seek wisdom in community.** Proverbs is filled with admonitions about the value of godly counsel. Join a small group, meet regularly with a spiritual friend, or participate in a Sunday School class where perspectives can be shared and sharpened.
Growing in wisdom isn't a linear process. Sometimes we take three steps forward and two steps back. The good news is that God is patient with our learning curve. Unlike some educational systems that penalize mistakes, God's classroom is grace-filled. Our failures and wrong turns often become the very experiences through which wisdom is cultivated.
As summer transitions to fall and many in our community return to formal education, let's remember that our spiritual education continues year-round. May we approach each day with that childlike combination of curiosity and humility, eager to learn from our Teacher who is wisdom personified.
Proverbs describes wisdom as more precious than rubies, and indeed, there is no investment that yields greater returns than pursuing the wisdom that comes from above. May we grow together in this precious gift.
Seeking wisdom alongside you,
Pastor Brian
Rev. Brian Lucas, Pastor | blucas@susumc.org
Be sure to check out this article in our full newsletter from August 2025 - Click Here!
